Tempe teen Adriana Ruiz had her “Christmas Bunnies” drawing (inset) selected as one of the designs for Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s annual holiday boxes of cards (photos courtesy of Phoenix Children’s Hospital).

The 7th Annual Holiday Shoppe
Nov. 14-15
Arizona Community Church
9325 S. Rural Road
480-491-2210, www.azcc.org
Hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Many Tempe artists and crafters will be participating in the Holiday Shoppe this year. From jewelry, baby items and home décor, to books, skincare and holiday decorations, you're sure to find something unique and special for everyone on your list. Many of the artists and authors will be on hand to answer questions, sign books and take special orders. In addition to shopping you can participate in hourly raffles or take a break and relax awhile in the Corner Coffee House that offers a variety of specialty coffees, drinks, pastries and boxed lunches.

St. Benedict’s Fall Festival
The St. Benedict’s annual Fall Festival takes place Nov. 14-16. The event will include carnival rides, food, games, raffles, silent auctions, a beer garden (wine and margaritas too), and entertainment. St. Benedicts is located at 16223 S. 48th St. (south of Chandler Boulevard) in Ahwatukee.
    The hours of the festival will be: 5-10 a.m. Friday; 2-10 p.m. Saturday, and 12-8 p.m. Sunday. Save 60 percent off the cost of the carnival rides by purchasing a presale ticket card, available in the St. Benedict’s parish office for $12 each. Pick up your tickets during office hours, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Without presale cards, tickets will cost $1 each, and each ride takes four tickets.
    A Texas Hold-em tournament will take place on Friday evening. Registration begins at 8 p.m. and the tournament will begin at 8:30 p.m.
The Fall Festival is a fund-raiser for the parish, but St. Benedict’s also hopes that the event gives them the opportunity to reach out to the community and surrounding areas. For more information, call 480-961-1610.

Winter ArtFest
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19
Hayden Lawn,
Arizona State University
480-965-4821
Start your Christmas shopping, and collect some outstanding art for yourself. This growing arts and crafts sale features the work of ASU faculty, staff, students and alumni. Information: http://artfest.asu.edu.

Dayspring Holiday Boutique
Nov. 20-22
Dayspring United Methodist Church
1365 E. Elliot Road
480-839-9097
The Dayspring Preshool and Kindergarten holds its 24th-annual holiday boutique, featuring more than 50 vendors specializing in unique homemade and handcrafted gifts. A raffle with dinner certificates and more will take place. Opening night (Thursday) features dinner by Outback Steakhouse for $25 or dessert for $5, as well as a silent auction. Hours are 6-9 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Courtyard Cafe will offer Jason’s Deli boxed lunches for sale and Rollin’ in the Dough cinnamon rolls also will be available for purchase.

APS Fantasy of Lights Parade
5-9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29
Downtown Tempe/Mill Ave.
www.downtowntempe.com
The parade kicks off a Third Street and Mill Avenue at 6 p.m. and will travel on Mill Avenue to 7th Street, reaching the main stage at 7:30 p.m. The event opens with the lighting of hundreds of thousands of festive holiday lights along Mill Avenue, and a 60-foot decorated holiday tree lighting ceremony at Centerpoint Plaza. Festivities include street entertainers. Santa Claus arrives to hear children's special gift requests, and a spectacular fireworks finale tops off the evening. Open free to the public, the event is produced by the Downtown Tempe Community, Inc., managers of the Mill Avenue District.

Tempe Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert
7:30-9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1
ASU Gammage
1200 S. Forest Ave.
480-965-3434
Organist Kimberly Marshall joins the symphony for Francis Poulenc's "Concerto in Ge minor (mvt.3)." The orchestra will perform pieces by Benjamin Britten, Ottorino Respighi, Howard Hansen and Leroy Anderson. Additionally, the Red Mountain Community College "A Capella Choir" and the Sun Valley Chorale will participate in the annual Carol "Sing-Along." This is a free event, ticketed event. Tickets will be available through the Gammage Box Office.

Christmas Idea House
Dec. 4-6
East Valley Home
www.christmasideahouse.org
The women of Desert Club present their 51st annual “Christmas Idea House” luxury home tour and shopping event, with the theme of “Whimsical Wishes.” All proceeds from the Christmas Idea House are given back to the community through scholarships and charitable grants. The event kicks off on Thursday with a reservation-only "Gala Preview Dinner," which includes the home tour and a silent auction. Tickets are $90 each. The following morning are the reservation-only "Sneak Peak Brunch and Lunch" seatings and home tours; cost is $50 per person. Public tours start on Friday from 4-9 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Tickets for the public tours and shopping are $10 each and can be purchased at the entry (visit the Web site for a $1 off printable coupon). Parking for the tour is located at 1550 N. Val Vista Drive in Mesa; a shuttle bus will transport guests to the home.

23rd Annual Poinsettia Festival
Dec. 5-7 and Dec. 12-14
Gardener’s World
3401 E. Baseline Road
602-437-0700
The community is invited to share in the splendor of magnificent holiday displays of more than 20,000 poinsettias in a variety of colors, sizes and shapes. A unique part of this event is the self-guided greenhouse tour that shows you where the poinsettias have been grown. You can also learn about how to care for them in your home. Food is available for purchase. Other attractions include tractor-driven wagon rides and photo opportunities. Five percent of Festival sales go to the Salvation Army Christmas Dinner; there will be toy and monetary donation bins on site. Admission and parking are free. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. For more information, visit www.gardenpro.net.

Holiday Concert
Tempe Community Chorus
3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7
McClintock High School auditorium
1830 E. Del Rio Drive
Tempe Community Chorus, under the direction of Cary Burns, begins its 18th season of choral presentations in the area. The concert is free to the public and will feature holiday selections. The chorus, boasting a membership of nearly 80 members, performs two formal concerts annually, in the late fall and spring. Additionally, TCC performs for senior care facilities and other gatherings.  TCC is eager to increase its membership; anyone interested in joining the chorus for the spring session may contact Pat Curtin, pjcurtin0125@yahoo.com. Additional information may be found at http://tempecommunitychorus.org.

APS Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade
4-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13
Tempe Town Lake
www.downtowntempe.com
The boat parade begins at 7 p.m. and features as many as 50 decorated watercraft lighting up the night with thousands of holiday lights. Metro Valley's LED installation on the Tempe Town Lake Bridge will provide a special display. Special exhibits, musical entertainment, and kids' activities start at 4 p.m. in Tempe Beach Park. Fifty tons of snow adds a seasonal atmosphere for kids' enjoyment. The event concludes with a dazzling fireworks grand finale. Free to the public, the event is produced by the Downtown Tempe Community Inc., managers of the Mill Avenue District.


‘The Spirit of Christmas’
The Christian Dance Company,
Tempe Dance Academy
Dec, 13-14 & Dec. 19-20
Chandler Center for the Arts
250 N. Arizona Ave.
A cast of more than 100 local dancers with nationally recognized guest singers, performers, and choreographers. This year’s performance proceeds will benefit Child Crisis Center—East Valley, an organization committed to preventing and treating child abuse and neglect. Tickets are $22-$24 for adults and $20-$22 for children 12 and under, and can be purchased at the center or online at www.chandlercenter.org.  Tempe Dance Academy is located at 1840 E. Warner Road in Tempe and has been in business for 54 years. Call Wanda Manville at 480-820-0795 for more information.